Super-fast broadband 'boosts sales of new Kent homes'

The availability of super-fast broadband has helped to drive strong initial sales at a new housing estate in Kent.

Developer Hillreed Homes has said it is "delighted" with the success of the site in the village of Iwade. Head of Sales and Marketing Jo Richards commented: "The popularity of our homes has been outstanding and we sold three houses on the first opening weekend."

Among the attractive elements of the new houses is the opportunity to access super-fast broadband, while they also offer a number of energy and water-efficient features.

Recent research from banking giant Halifax discovered that broadband speed is a major influencing factor for people in the market for a new home.

Almost a third of people surveyed said the quality of available broadband would be likely to have an effect on whether or not they moved to a certain area, while a fifth would be prepared to pay more for a house if it had good broadband.